Los Angeles Lakers - From the Down Times Until Now

You do not have to follow basketball to know who the Los Angeles Lakers are. The Lakers are one of the most well known teams on the NBA. They do hold a number of records, but throughout their history, there have been a number of bad years. Through basketball team selection and basketball the team has fought to get themselves to where they are today.

In the beginning, the Lakers faced a number of difficulties - they won some and they lost some. There were no championship titles or records won by the team - not in the early days.

Originally founded in 1946, the Lakers were known as the Detroit Lakers, as they were based out of Detroit, Michigan. Shortly later, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. This move was a good one for them, as this is where they won their first championship game - as a matter-of-fact - they won five when they were the Minneapolis Lakers.

Finally, in 1960, the Lakers moved to their home town of Los Angeles. The first decade was a tough ride for the team, as they could not even get into the NBA finals.

The next decade did not look much brighter for the Los Angeles Lakers. In the 1970's they won a title, which was definitely better than the previous 10 years, but that was it.

In the 1980's the team started to make a turn for the better. During this decade is when Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - two of the biggest names in the NBA - played for the Lakers. Additionally, Coach Pat Riley coached the team on team-work and helped them jump over their hurdles. During this time, the Los Angeles Lakers won five additional championships, and had their highest number of wins in one given season.

Like any roller coaster, there was a down-slope coming. The 1990's proved to be an uneventful year for the Lakers. Not to say there was nothing to talk about, but compared to the 80's, nothing spectacular happened.

Finally, in the 21st century, things are really beginning to look up for the Lakers. They now have players like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, along with Coach Phil Jackson. Already, in just eight years, they have won five NBA finals.

The turn-around, of events, over the past decade, has captured the attention of many fans. The Lakers fans are not your typical fan, but are die-hard fans as they have watched their team struggle and come out of it with shining colors.

At the end of their most recent season, the Lakers held one of the highest number of records in NBA history. One of which was given to them for having the highest number of wins, ever, at over 2,900 wins.

They also hold records for the highest percentage (60%) of won games and appearing in the Finals 29 times. One fete, for them personally, to beat is the number of championship wins held by their rivals - the Boston Celtics. The Lakers are only three championship wins away, but this would be a grand accomplishment for the team.

The amount of talent that has passed through the Los Angeles Lakers is phenomenal. There have been 14 Hall of Fame players, and 4 Hall of Fame coaches, throughout their history. The combination of this talent and coaching has brought the team to where they are today.

By Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass. StubPass sells Los Angeles Lakers Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, NBA Tickets and many more tickets to your favorite events around the world.

Basketball Skills - How to Make Your High School Or College Team As a Walk-On

Hello Hoopsters.

Do you want to make your high school or college basketball team as basketball walk-on? I did it and had a great 4 year college basketball career.

Lets get right to the facts. If you want to walk-on to a college team or make your high school team during try-outs you have to be in better shape than everyone else. You will be going up against some great athletes and if you are not in better shape you don't stand a chance. I have seen many examples of a good athlete in great shape---make a team--over a great athlete in poor condition.

How do you get in shape for try-outs? There are a couple of proven methods.

First...play in full-court pick-up games with the best competition you can find at least 3 times a week. Do this at least a month or two before try-outs start. This will help you get in basketball shape and help you work on your basketball instincts.

Second...run three miles a day a month before practice starts. Make sure it is a run or a fast jog so you can build up your stamina.

Third...run a 1-3 mile basketball hill or mountain a month or two before try-outs start. Don't go slow, jog as fast as you can. Make sure it is up-hill all the way. This is the best conditioning method period! You will not be able to make it up the mountain the first time. Every step is a workout. If you do this 3 times a week before try-outs you will be in better condition than anyone there. I guarantee it. This exercise will also test you courage

Be careful running down the mountain. I left a couple of my teeth on Squaw Peak Mountain in Phoenix Arizona!

Fourth...work on your lay-ups and jump-shot everyday for at least an hour. Set up your own routine. It doesn't have to be strenuous. But you have to develop a great touch. You are going to be doing a lot of full-court crazy eight drills and full-court 3-on-2 drills during try-outs. This will make sure you can make your lay-ups and pull-up jumpers at the free-throw line. In short--it will look to the coaches like you know what you are doing.

Stay tuned for more articles on how to shoot a basketball. That is my specialty.

Fifth...lifting weights is another awesome thing you can do before try-outs.

So there you have it. Five things you can do to give yourself the best chance of making your high school team or walking-on to a college team.

1.) Playing full-court pick-up games with good competition

2.) Run 3 miles a day

3.) Run a 1-3 mile long hill or mountain

4.) Practice lay-ups and jump-shots for at least 1 hour per day.

5.) Lift weights

Doing one of the first three and #4 is a must.

Doing #1, #3, and #4 will get you the most prepared. I know. I walked on to my college basketball team my freshman year and had a great four-year career.

In closing, these workouts give you the confidence you will need to make your high-
school team or walk on to a college team. It also shows the coaches that you are serious about making the team--this is unbelievably important to you. What your coaches think of you will determine if you make the team or not.

I have seen excellent athletes fail to make the team because they pulled a hamstring the first day of try-outs, or their puking their guts out after running a suicide drill, or they are too sore to hit a 15-foot jump-shot. If you do the things above this will not happen to you.

P.S. Make sure you also participate in any recommended workouts by your coaches or current team-

members

See you at the top!

Dave Z.

Visit http://www.JumpHigherSports.com for more tips and strategies on playing better basketball.

Dave Zalewski is a Peak Performance Coach. He uses his experience as a USPTA Tennis Pro , former College Basketball Player, and Multi-Million Dollar Realestate Agent to change peoples lives. He loves to help clients discover the time-tested principles that lead to lasting success. Stay tuned for more power packed articles.